Biomechanical simulation of the interaction in the temporomandibular joint within dentate mandible: A finite element analysis

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the only bilateral linked joints in human body, are the load-bearing joints. However, the stress distributions in TMJs are still not well known. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element model of the mandible, discs and articular fossa-eminences was developed according to the CT images of a person. The interfaces between the discs and the articular cartilages were treated as contact elements. And the mandibular ligaments and the discal attachments were simulated to be nonlinear cable elements. The muscle forces corresponding to centric occlusion were applied as the loading condition. It was demonstrated that the high stresses occurred at the anterior condyle, the intermediate zone of the disc and the anterior temporal bone due to great contact. The results indicated the simulation of the interaction in the TMJs was feasible.